Messi's Final Match
Lionel Messi Prepares for Emotional Final Argentina Match Against Benin in Buenos Aires
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Key Points
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Messi explained his decision to retire by saying, “I gave it my all. I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance.”
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The Argentina Football Association said tickets for the farewell sold out in just two hours; one report put the crowd at more than 80,000, while another gave the stadium attendance as 85,018.
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Benin will be a first-time opponent for Messi; the team, known as the Cheetahs since 2022, has never qualified for a men’s FIFA World Cup and reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in 2019.
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Messi’s international record also includes 68 assists, and he made his senior debut against Hungary in August 2005, more than 21 years before the farewell.
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Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the farewell would be “a very emotional” and “unforgettable” day for Messi and everyone involved.
Lionel Messi will play his final match for Argentina against Benin on October 6 at Buenos Aires' Estadio Monumental, closing a 21-year international career before a sold-out crowd of over 80,000. 101greatgoals The 39-year-old superstar leaves as Argentina's most-capped player with 125 goals and 68 assists, having won two Copa América titles and the 2022 World Cup.
Messi announced his retirement after Lente Desportiva reporting his decision on August 31, stating: "I gave it my all. I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance." All 85,000 tickets sold out in just two hours, marking an unforgettable sendoff for the football legend.
A Legend's 21-Year Journey Ends in Buenos Aires
Messi made his senior debut for Argentina against Hungary in August 2005. 101greatgoals Over two decades, he became the face of Argentine football through triumph and heartbreak. His international record stands at 208 appearances—the most in Argentina's history—plus his record-breaking 125 goals and 68 assists.
Lente Desportiva reported that Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni called the farewell "a very emotional" and "unforgettable" day for Messi and everyone involved. The match against Benin provides a chance for fans to honor a player who led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 after decades of near-misses.
Why Messi Decided to Step Away Now
Messi's retirement announcement came after disappointment over Argentina's recent World Cup final loss to Spain. At 39 years old, the Inter Miami forward felt the moment was right to end his national team chapter. He wanted to leave while still performing at the highest level, not fade away gradually.
"I gave it my all," Messi explained. "There are great young players coming up who deserve their chance." This marks a graceful exit—one final match against unfamiliar opponents rather than continuing through another competition cycle.
Benin Faces Its Biggest Challenge on World Stage
Benin, known as the Cheetahs since 2022, has never qualified for a men's FIFA World Cup. miscw The African nation reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in 2019 but remains relatively inexperienced at the highest levels of international football. This match against Argentina will be their first-ever meeting with the Argentine legend.
Playing in Buenos Aires presents a daunting task for Benin, who have reportedly complained about travel and accommodation arrangements. Facing Argentina's full strength in a stadium packed with 85,000 home supporters will test the Cheetahs' resilience on one of football's biggest stages.
The Final Curtain Call for Argentine Football Royalty
This October 6 match represents more than a friendly. It's a celebration of Messi's two Copa América titles and his defining moment—lifting the World Cup trophy in Qatar in 2022 after Argentina's 36-year drought. Millions of Argentine fans will witness the end of an era in person and around the world.
As Lente Desportiva noted, the 85,000-ticket sellout in two hours shows how desperately Argentina wanted to say goodbye properly. For Messi, it's a chance to walk away on his terms, leaving behind an unmatched legacy in a sport that made him a global icon.
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